Gord Fishell, Ph.D.
Professor of Neurobiology
Harvard Medical School and the Stanley Center at the Broad
This seminar examines the developmental and genetic origins of cortical and hippocampal interneurons, vital for normal brain function. It outlines how progenitor cells engage genetic programs to specify interneurons into distinct classes, establishing their initial identity. Following this specification, neuronal activity is crucial for refining their laminar positioning
and shaping the dendritic and axonal arborizations necessary for proper circuit integration.
In addition, sensory input collaborates with genetic cues to fine-tune the incorporation of interneurons into emerging cortical networks. The research highlights that many genes implicated in interneuron maturation also play roles in neuropsychiatric conditions, such as autism and schizophrenia. This link suggests that disruptions in these developmental
pathways could contribute to the pathology of these disorders.